As you can probably tell, I haven’t exactly been productive. It’s been less than two weeks since the move and I am still settling in.

My studio (I really, really like being able to say that! ) isn’t completely set up yet. But I am making progress. The walls in the room desperately needed to be painted. Previously, they were half dark green and half cream with a ridiculously ornate wallpaper border separating the two. If you know me, you know that ridiculously ornate isn’t exactly my thing.

Last Saturday, I spent the day painting both the studio and W’s office. And Sunday, I polyurethaned my spanky new drawing desk and moved it up to the studio. Now, its just sitting in a bit of disarray because I haven’t put anything away yet. This is my goal for this afternoon and tonight. I need to get all my gear put away and maybe unpack a toy or two. Once I am settled, the more apt to do some actually art work I will be.

I have missed not drawing. A lot.

The Artist’s Magazine is holding an online all-media competition. I’m actually considering throwing a few pieces into the fray. Crazy, right? It’s bizarre that I am even entertaining the idea. Right now, I’m considering throwing in the pieces from the show. Maybe something new if I get anything new - not that current bastard of a drawing either (I don’t wanna talk about it) - done soon.

Now while I seriously doubt I will win anything (I’ve seen the results of some of their competitions in the past - the work is amazing), the deadline is November 3rd.

So that must bode well for me. At least a little.

First of all, let me say this, if you are an artist and you need reference images, run - do not walk - your butt over to morgueFile.com. They have amazing royalty-free images that artists (or anyone really) can use without cost and, in most cases, without credit. Though, let’s face it, it would be kind of tactless to not provide credit. I’m all over giving credit for anything I use.

The photos are even available for commercial pursuits.

I posted a question on their forum (again, a fantastic resource!) regarding their terms and conditions and whether or not I could utilize photos in their archive for my portrait work (I really need to find some models, dudes). I found some really fantastic photos that I’d like to draw for a new portrait series I have been kicking around*.

Anyway, after mentioning in my post that I’d like to learn a bit more about photography so I can take my own reference images, one of the members pointed me in the direction of this online class. Dudes, this is completely perfect for me! It’s very basic and looks completely manageable from a time perspective. I could do it at my own pace - probably (if I do it right) squeezing in each lesson once a week.

I am particularly interested in the two studio lighting lessons. I really kinda love the DIY nature of it. Sister, loves a good DIY!

I guess the actual class is long since over, but many people still post their assignments for discussion in the forums. I think it would be kinda awesome. And not to mention helpful. Especially since I have been incredibly lame with my photographic pursuits as of late. Though, my lameness is kinda awesome because it just means that I have been drawing more, so I won’t complain too much. Still, I am consistently bemoaning my lack o’ mad skillz, so maybe this little bitty course can help with that.

It can’t hurt right?

Oh, I should have a really-real update tonight. I just started a new piece - I took a couple days off after finishing my previous piece. Hopefully, the first in the aforementioned portrait series.

*The steampunk thing and the circus freak thing have been put on hold indefinitely. See? I am fucking flighty! And no, I do not want to talk about it. Blah.

I’ve been kicking around an idea of a bit of an experiment. I think I might try to sell some of my artwork (sorta) on Etsy.

Wait.

I know what you are thinking. Aren’t I the same woman who is adamantly opposed to the sale of artwork? Well, yes, I am. I still am, in fact. I still cling to most of my utopia art ideals. But, to split hairs for a moment, my experiment doesn’t actually involve selling my artwork, but rather prints of my artwork.

The fact is I don’t think I would ever be comfortable enough to sell an actual piece I have created with my bare hands. Now I don’t know if this is because of my utopia ideals about free art or if its simply about insecurity, self-doubt and those control issues I have. Probably both - probably more of the latter, if we are going to be completely honest.

But my morality on selling prints of said artwork is slightly less rigid because in my big brain, I lose less control over my artwork if I still have it (or know exactly where it is). Prints? Well, I’d have less of an attachment to and I already post digital versions of my artwork all over the internets, so its probably not much different.

Plus, really, I am curious if I could actually sell something. Its probably a masochist curiosity, but a curiosity nonetheless.

So, I’m in research mode. I’ve found an online printer (they even do giclee!) that could make art based prints for me at a very reasonable price. I’m just trying to find a local company (probably ABL Imaging) to scan my artwork because I really don’t trust my photographic or scanning skills. Like at all. Plus, having a decent digital archive of my work would kinda be awesome.

Ok, feel free to let the mocking commence…

I’m looking at you.

I do have a photo update. But I think I uploaded the images as ASCII, instead of Binary. So they are kinda fubar’d. I’ll have to re-upload them when I get home. Blah.

The update isn’t much. I just made my first attempt at quasi-inking the sketch I posted yesterday. I was using advice from a line weight tutorial of Amy Hadley’s. Overall, it was pretty good, but I did make some mistakes - thickening lines when I shouldn’t have and her hair could use some work - I went a bit crazy. But I think with practice, it could work. Its kind of exciting.

Well, I have survived the first part of the holidays. I hope everyone else did!

Xmas was nice (though, I think I had a battle with food poisoning so that was less fun). We spent Xmas Eve/Xmas morning with Will’s family and then with mine for Xmas dinner. Everyone was extraordinarily generous and wonderful. And my presents seem to go over very well. Linda and Danny loved the wolf - but I don’t think they realize that I actually drew it. So that in itself is a marvelous compliment, methinks. I told them that I would be by this week with a replacement frame. Actually, Mom and I are heading out to brave the Boxing Week sales so I can replace it and maybe pick up a few goodies for myself. Namely anatomy books with my Chapters gift card. Yay. I might be picking up a new printer too since mine has seemingly died a painful death.

But, Mom and Dad (of course) loved their drawings and I don’t think Greg has actually received his painting yet because he was going back and forth about whether or not he would be home for the holidays. He ended up not coming and we ended up mailing his stuff on the 23rd. He should receive it all today, hopefully.

Though I have taken a couple days off from drawing (well, I am working on a bit of a study for a drawing I wanna do Will), I am pretty eager to get back into things. I think I will start tomorrow. I wanna figure out my goals for 2008 and just write them down. Collecting my brains is often a good thing around these parts.

Oh and Will? Besides a crapload of other stuff, he totally got me this and this for Xmas. Seems kinda holiday-ie, doncha think? Hee. I really love Mrs. Claus. She’s foxy.

Finis!

Yeah, I cut it very close and the next time that I decide to make almost all of my Xmas presents, I’m certainly going to try and start a helluva lot earlier. But it is done and overall, I’m completely satisfied with it. Especially since last night I almost opted to not do the branches and background. I was going to cop out and just do a light shading in the background. But I’m glad I didn’t decide to do that. I think the piece is stronger with the branches.

Now I just need to slap it into a frame and wrap it. The only problem is that I discovered that my frame has some cracks. [confused] And of course, there is no time to go and replace it. [confused] So I’m going to present it as is and just tell Linda and Danny that I will reframe it after the holidays. Stupid frames. Still, I think the present will go off well. I hope.

I’m already planning my next piece. Yay. Though, I admit, I’m taking a few days off. I think its deserved.

I also wanted to send my holiday wishes to anyone who has taken the time to read these neurotic blatherings over the last couple of months. Thanks for taking time to read my whining. Have a happy holiday and wonderful new year! See you in 2008!

Slowly. Its coming along slowly. I started struggling with some of the shading on the left (my left) ear and the shading on that side of the head. I was getting tired and a bit impatient. I’ll need to work it a bit more tomorrow. I love the right (my right) ear though.

The fur technique is starting to become easier. I’ll have to remember it for when I do portraits. I think it would help a great deal when handling hair.

Now, I’m gonna go snuggle with my boy and watch the rest of Robot Chicken.

Oh, and yay holidays! I don’t have to go back to work until January 2nd. Yay!

First of all, Happy Solistice and Merry Yule to anyone who celebrates!

I used to be better about celebrating such things. Especially when I was a practicing Wiccan. I’ve since started to move away from paganism as a spiritual idea and started leaning towards scientific pantheism. But luckily for me, pantheists tend to celebrate the same holidays as the pagan folk. I’m just not very good at creating a new ritual for myself. I’m working on it though.

I did a bit of work last night. And can I just say, thank the Universe for the drawing & sketching forum on WetCanvas! I have gleened so much useful information from that forum! It’s kind of staggering. I was struggling with the fur on the wolf, but I found a few helpful tips and tutorials that have certainly helped this piece. I hope to post a new update photo tonight. I finished kinda late last night and I have a bit of a sick boy on my hands that needed a bit of babying last night.

I’ve also decided to take a different approach to this blog in the new year. I think the underlining theme is going to be less whining. In re-reading a lot of my previous entries, I have determined that there is a whole lot of whining going on there. It is counter-productive. I’d also like my updates to speak for themselves sometimes. I tend to try and explain every little boring thing when I post something. And that type of verbosity is really annoying.

Less whining and less words ftw!

Now, that isn’t to say that I won’t ramble on now and then. I mean, if this entry is any indication, I still do have a lot of words left in me.

Let’s try this again!

Good Sweet Universe, I feel so much better! I mean, in two hours, I managed to accomplish more with this drawing than eight hours with the painting. It’s kinda sad actually. I think I might even have my confidence back. Yay! Cuz let’s face it, my issues with the painting were more about my confidence than my skill.

Still, this whole situation has been pretty illuminating. I think along with the human figure, I might devote next year strictly to drawing. I’d really like to push myself even more and explore different types of drawing mediums (especially pen and ink). Don’t get me wrong, I adore painting. I used to think it was my preferred medium of choice. But there is just something about drawing that is kind of appealing to me right now. A lot of it is convenience. Its a lot easier to draw something in our teeny apartment than hauling out all my painting shit and crowding the living room. It was a lot easier when Will wasn’t living with me.

I’ve also decided to try my hand at some online drawing classes. To fix any rusty spots, ya know? There is a site that hosts all of the WetCanvas drawing lessons. I’ve always been impressed with many of the artist’s on the site so, maybe some of their tips will help my rust.

After all, I’m pretty much the poster child for the learning.